Average prices have jumped £16,000 in the last year and the London market is dominated by overseas buyers paying in cash. The governor, pictured, admitted: 'We as the central bank can't influence that.'

Business Secretary Vince Cable has to sign off any pay increases for Royal Mail boss Moya Greene (pictured) but was kept in the dark about the payment for more than a year. He said: 'I would not have approved it' and has demanded Ms Greene pay the money back.